The MoU reinforces ICEYE’s long-term commitment to the UAE, connecting research, talent development and industrial expertise to support sovereign space capabilities
ICEYE, the world leader in sovereign intelligence from space, and Khalifa University of Science and Technology today announced a strategic partnership to advance space research, applied innovation and the development of specialized talent in the UAE.
The partnership brings together Khalifa University’s research and academic capabilities and ICEYE’s satellite engineering and operational expertise to explore pathways from research and education to practical space applications. It also represents a further step in ICEYE’s long-term commitment to support the development of the UAE’s space ecosystem, connecting talent development, research, and industrial expertise to strengthen local capabilities.
Together, the partners will explore opportunities to work on industry-informed engineering, data, software, and AI challenges, working individually or in multidisciplinary teams under joint academic and ICEYE supervision. The collaboration will also explore summer internships, semester placements, co-operative education, and graduate opportunities at ICEYE, with placements that may be based in its Abu Dhabi and Espoo operations, as well as its wider international operations.
“Space innovation depends on more than access to technology; it requires research capability, specialized talent and pathways to turn knowledge into practical applications. By bringing Khalifa University’s scientific and engineering expertise together with ICEYE’s industry experience, this partnership can create meaningful opportunities for collaborative research, experiential learning and the development of capabilities that support the UAE’s space ambitions,” said His Excellency Prof. Ebrahim Al Hajri, President, Khalifa University.
“ICEYE is committed to being a long-term industrial partner to the UAE and supporting its ambition to build a world-class, sovereign space ecosystem. That means developing capabilities across the entire value chain, from the people who design and build space systems to the teams that operate them and turn their data into intelligence. Our partnership with Khalifa University puts talent and research at the heart of that commitment, giving students and researchers the opportunity to work on real missions and real engineering challenges,” said Christos Kolimenakis, CEO, ICEYE UAE.
Khalifa University faculty and researchers, alongside ICEYE’s technical teams, will explore joint and sponsored research, technology demonstrations and academic publications with the aim of connecting scientific expertise to real-world space applications. ICEYE experts may also contribute to guest lectures, workshops, seminars, and university programs, and take part in student challenges, capstone projects, and technical competitions. Specific activities will be defined jointly as the collaboration develops.
The partnership strengthens collaboration in space technology, research and advanced skills, connecting ICEYE’s Finnish roots and European engineering expertise with the UAE’s growing space ambitions. It builds on the wider relationship between Finland and the UAE, highlighted during President Alexander Stubb’s visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2025.
Alisha Roy
Science Writer
